This book, published by National Geographic, has as its premise that all children share certain fundamental experiences on a daily basis.  With lush and sensitive photographs, Kerley creates a story that can both resonate with and educate children about those who live elsewhere in the world.

Mealtimes are likely to be the focus for many children, and Kerley depicts this aspect well.  She illustrates children eating breakfast with a page that shows them having porridge, pancakes, churros, toast, and sweet tea.  Lunch is a group of children eating sandwiches near school.  Dinner shows veggies, pasta, chicken, rice, and pizza. 

Students in the United States will probably be curious about how school is depicted around the world.  They also will likely ask many questions about the photos showing children working after school, doing jobs such as herding cattle or physically cleaning their own schools.  Even the play might raise questions:  how many American kids will recognize cricket?

I love how this book shows families of all sorts, from all places, doing what families do:  eating, resting, praying, reading.  This book would be a wonderful addition to most elementary school libraries.  It could kick off a number of units, from geography to food to cultural diversity.  It makes its points most strongly from the lovely photographs and the simple text.